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Alyce brushed her tears away. “You have given me what I always wanted. You have made my dreams come true.”
He leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I will always make your dreams come true.”
She pressed her cheek to his. “That you do whenever you kiss me, touch me, love me.”
Addie’s joyous voice broke them apart as they watched her raise her tankard. “I toast my daughters.”
The three Sinclare brothers raised their goblets to their wives.
“To three strong, courageous, beautiful women I am proud to call my daughters and that my three sons were wise enough to love.”
Alyce’s loud gasp startled everyone.
“What’s wrong?” Lachlan asked, dropping his tankard to the table when he saw his wife’s hand grab her stomach.
“I remember,” she said excited. “I remember what it is that was so important to tell you.”
“What?” Lachlan asked anxiously.
Alyce smiled. “Ronan is on his way home.”
Chapter 37
Alyce was exhausted and the wedding festivities had just begun. Even though snow fell heavily outside, the whole village was warm and joyous as they helped celebrate the wedding of Lachlan and Alyce Sinclare.
It had taken a couple of months from Lachlan’s proposal to arrange the exchange of vows and obtain new documents with the help of Bishop Aleatus, a close friend of the Sinclares, who had insisted on performing the ceremony. And all had hoped that Ronan would return before it and share in the grand day, but he still hadn’t appeared.
Addie had seen to a feast fit for a king and queen while Honora and Zia had transformed the great hall into a magical woodland with winter greenery, pinecones, and berries everywhere; and numerous white candles flickered like dozens of bright stars throughout the room.
Her father even attended and gave his blessings and told her how proud he was that she did her duty like a true leader. It was enough to let Alyce know that in his own way he loved her.
She sighed, resting in a high-back chair that Zia had made certain to provide for her, insisting it would be much more comfortable than the usual bench. And she was glad she hadn’t protested, since the chair helped ease the pain that had started in her back this morning.
Lachlan was busy talking with everyone, though he glanced her way often enough. He knew she was tired and he had wanted her to rest for an hour or so and then join the celebration, but she didn’t want to miss a minute. It was all too exciting.
She watched with pleasure the younger children laughing while running after each other, and caressed her stomach thinking how in no time she and Lachlan’s babe would be one of them. The twins certainly wanted to join in the revelry, one bouncing to get free from his mother’s arms and the other trying to walk with his father’s help, while Blythe sat contented in her father’s arms.
She shook her head as she watched her father try desperately to gain Addie’s favor, but surprisingly she spent much time with Hagen, who had yet to rejoin Septimus. There was a sparkle in both their eyes when they looked at each other, which was often. Whatever would her sons think?
A stabbing pain caused her to double over with a moan and Lachlan was at her side in a second, as was Zia. She could barely breathe let alone speak.
Addie appeared, Hagen at her side, and Alyce had to smile, for if she were right about the pair, it would no doubt create a problem, though she would side with Addie.
“She’s in labor?” Addie asked.
“I believe so,” Zia said. “We need to get her upstairs.”
Lachlan scooped her up and everyone cheered as he carried her out of the room and up the stairs.
Once Alyce was in bed, Zia attempted to chase Lachlan from the room.
“No, I won’t leave her.”
He turned when he heard his brother’s laughter.
Cavan entered the room. “I recall saying the same, but you’ll be coming with me just as I went with you, though I didn’t want to.”
“I’ll be fine,” Alyce assured him. “And if I should want you, I will send for you.”
Lachlan nodded and kissed her cheek. “That’s good enough for me, since I know nothing would stop you from getting me here even if you had to come get me yourself.”
“You truly do know me,” she laughed.
He nuzzled at her ear. “Every inch and breath of you, wife.”
Alyce gasped startled, and Zia hurried over and with one look said, “The sack broke, the pains will be close soon enough.”
Cavan rushed Lachlan out of the room and hurried him back to the festivities.
After an hour Lachlan snuck upstairs to check on his wife and his mother chased him away.
“She has no time for you now,” she said, shutting the door in his face.
By the third time, Addie had stationed Hagen in front of the door with orders that Lachlan was not allowed to disturb them. Surprisingly, the large man was sympathetic to Lachlan’s plight and took time to speak with him before convincing him it was better he waited downstairs.
